Nanocomposite materials for panels in the automotive industry

The research work was focused on the development of nanocomposite materials based on layered silicates with the aim to improve the mechanical performances of the polymer matrix for applications in the automotive field as structural body car panels. Nanocomposites were prepared using either Polyethyleneterephtalate (PET) or Polybutyleneterephtalate (PBT) and different types of nanoclays. The influence of polymer matrices, processing, nanoclay type and loading on morphology and mechanical properties of nanocomposites was investigated. Due to its lower sensibility to moisture, PBT was chosen for material development; PBT nanocomposites presented higher values of Young's modulus with respect to PBT but a lower impact resistance. Two different ways were chosen in order to increase the impact resistance: the use of copolymers as plasticizing additives for the PBT matrix the use of an elastomeric PBT as a matrix A good dispersion of the clay was found in both cases and a good compromise between elastic modulus and impact resistance was achieved by the addition of a 6% of clay and a 10% of plasticizer to the PBT matrix.